Hey Samsung, now’s the right time to relaunch the Galaxy Be aware collection

I’m nonetheless digesting the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 collection, however one factor is abundantly clear: the corporate’s stance on the S Pen has modified considerably. As soon as a core characteristic of its flagships, the stylus is significantly dumbed down on the Galaxy S25 Extremely. Within the higher scheme of issues, it’s a minor change given the broader upgrades the gadget brings, nevertheless it’s the clearest signal but that Samsung is completed holding again its premier smartphone line to appease Galaxy Be aware followers.

This can be a downside for S Pen stalwarts, however the answer is apparent to me: if the S Pen is now not a precedence for the Galaxy S Extremely, now’s the right time to relaunch the Galaxy Be aware collection.

As my colleague C. Scott Brown argues in a current characteristic, eradicating the bundled S Pen could be a boon for the Galaxy S collection. I utterly agree. The road was by no means meant to help the stylus, however Samsung knew disgruntled Be aware followers wanted a agency motive to buy the Galaxy S21 Extremely.

A yr later, Samsung made much more compromises with the Galaxy S22 Extremely. Embedding the S Pen throughout the cellphone robbed the gadget (and its three subsequent iterations) of precious packaging area, which may’ve been used for improved cooling or a roomier battery — and even to make the cellphone much less uncomfortable to carry.

This yr, plainly Samsung is lastly acknowledging that the S Pen is among the parts holding the Extremely again. The Galaxy S25 Extremely S Pen is the primary in generations to ditch Bluetooth connectivity, rendering a number of nifty options redundant. Good luck in case you use your S Pen as a distant digicam shutter. You can’t use SmartThings Discover to get better a misplaced one, both.

This yr’s kneecapped S Pen may very well be step one in direction of utterly severing the Extremely’s partnership with the stylus. The corporate’s future design aspirations counsel this, too. It briefly teased the slimmed-down Galaxy S25 Edge at Unpacked, hinting at its want for a extra compact, svelte smartphone collection. I extremely doubt the built-in S Pen would kind a part of this imaginative and prescient.

Ought to future Galaxy S Ultras now not provide a complete expertise, Samsung would want to present followers another. The revival of the Galaxy Be aware collection could be the best platform for S Pen lovers on the lookout for a fully-fledged writing, drawing, and distant accent paired with a strong, uncompromising smartphone.

As somebody who cherished their Galaxy Be aware 9, I can’t start to explain how excited I’d be for a worthy fashionable successor. I imagine it was the final Be aware that included nearly all the things a smartphone ought to have, from a microSD card slot to a headphone jack and even a notification LED. It additionally provided an S Pen with Bluetooth smarts, and I can’t recall how usually I used it as a distant digicam set off previously (not only for selfies, both).

Nevertheless, a Be aware revival would imply extra than simply giving the S Pen a brand new dwelling; it will imply reinvigorating Samsung’s flagship lineup. A relaunched Be aware advantages customers and Samsung. The corporate would earn goodwill from followers patiently ready for a real Be aware. On the identical time, Galaxy S Extremely customers would profit from Samsung’s imaginative and prescient of a lighter, slimmer smartphone.

Samsung may place the Galaxy S collection as its refined, pacey however confirmed product for professionals and the Be aware as a bleeding-edge gadget for Android lovers with a completely stocked specs and have record.

After all, for the Be aware to occur, Samsung would want to confess it was unsuitable to kill it off, one thing I don’t imagine it will do. There’s additionally a query surrounding the corporate’s willingness to push the envelope. Its perch atop the Android tree is comfy, and I’m positive the Galaxy Be aware 7 nonetheless offers the agency night time sweats. Reluctance to innovate would taper the pioneering strategy essential for the Be aware line to work.

Then there’s the specter of cannibalization. Samsung dangers encroaching on its premier gadget gross sales by introducing one other flagship to the combo. I’ve little doubt {that a} new Be aware could be widespread in its first yr, which might put each the Galaxy S and Z Fold units underneath strain. Samsung would have lots of juggling and value Jenga to play with its varied mannequin lineups.

And, talking of value, I’m unsure I’d wish to know the way a lot a brand new Be aware would even start to value customers. To offset spinning up a brand new manufacturing line and given at present’s inflation and improvement value pressures, I can’t see a world the place a brand new Galaxy Be aware prices underneath $1,299. That’s the place Samsung left the Be aware 20 Extremely practically half a decade in the past, and it’s additionally the place the Galaxy S25 Extremely finds itself.

I’m attempting to be as goal as doable concerning the execs and cons of reviving the Be aware, however my coronary heart would like to see it, and I’m positive others could be thrilled as effectively. Judging by its future gadget launches, Samsung needs to slim down the Galaxy S collection, which might undoubtedly squeeze out the S Pen. It will be a disgrace if Samsung sidelines probably the most recognizable cellular devices within the smartphone world.

To be affordable, Samsung wouldn’t even want to make use of the Be aware identify. If something, I’ve described precisely what a real Fan Version gadget must be — a product that appeals to core Samsung stalwarts. The corporate may even whip out the “Particular Version” moniker if the FE title’s too tarnished by mid-range releases. Both possibility permits Samsung to maintain the Galaxy S identify whereas introducing a handset that pushes the trade ahead.

In actuality, Samsung may take an excellent less complicated strategy. Merely unbundling the S Pen from future Ultras would permit customers to decide on if they need a stylus or go with out one. This may additionally permit Samsung to actively develop the S Pen’s performance with out hampering the design of its future flagship. This answer, nevertheless, introduces its personal issues, from S Pen storage to charging.

I miss getting enthusiastic about Samsung’s Galaxy Be aware launches. Maybe I ought to take away my rose-tinted glasses, however this could be the actual “yet another factor” second price sticking round for.